Originally Posted by
RoMad
Most of you are missing my point. Telling me she needs to train more, you can’t buy fast, etc. If some bikes weren’t faster than others we would all be still riding steel Schwinns. She rides the same route, the same fitness, and she is going slower on one bike than the other. The Trek is definitely slower than the Litespeed.
My question really boils down to “how can I mechanically make the Trek a little faster”?
Tell her to bend her arms more. The bike/wheels have a relatively small effect on overall drag. The dominant factor is your body. The only two reasons for going slower are less power and/or more drag. If she's not uncomfortable and putting out less power then the most likely explanation is her position is more upright on the Trek. If she cares about going faster have her try riding in the drops and see if that helps. It might not if she isn't comfortable riding lower.
New wheels aren't going to help.